China's Gold Imports Surge to Highest Level Since March 2024
China's gold imports have surged to their highest level since March 2024, reaching over 173 tonnes in June. This marks the third consecutive monthly increase and propels China's first-half 2026 gold imports to around 820 tonnes, nearly double the level recorded during the same period last year.
The rise in imports is attributed to Chinese investors taking advantage of softer gold prices to accumulate the metal, while commercial banks stepped up overseas purchases to replenish inventories amid strong retail demand. This trend suggests that lower prices have not weakened China's conviction in gold, but instead encouraged fresh buying from both institutional and retail participants.
Physical gold is not the only beneficiary of China's renewed interest, as gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in China have attracted 28 tonnes of net inflows so far in 2026. This indicates that investors are increasing exposure through financial products rather than relying solely on bullion purchases.
The simultaneous rise in physical imports and ETF inflows points to broad-based demand across different investor segments, reinforcing gold's role as a preferred safe-haven asset. With China's appetite for gold showing no signs of fading, the latest data suggest that Chinese demand remains resilient even after gold's recent price volatility.